Sunny Daze
And the sundresses that go so well with them!
What is it about a sunny day that is just the best? (Also, in true, LITERALLY no one asked but I’ll tell you anyways fashion, I’ve had this song stuck in my head ever since I filled in the title of this post. You’re welcome). Specifically, I’m talking about the stretch of sunny days that comes in mid-to-late spring (probably earlier if you live somewhere other than New England and spring comes a little earlier). The days are longer, it’s getting lighter earlier in the day, there is a stretch of mornings where the sun starts to peek into your window closer to 6 AM, and even on my most tired mornings, it’s hard to not be giddy about the fact that the sun is shining and the weather is getting warmer! Maybe it’s partially because sleep has been pretty challenging as I inch closer and closer to my due date, and my nights are increasingly restless, but that sun that peeks through the blinds in the early morning is an invitation and a promise.
Even on the groggiest mornings (I swear that my kids have gone from fantastic sleepers to awake multiple times a night with the most random, questionable needs, just because a baby is entering our household any day now), it’s hard not to feel the anticipation and excitement of the day ahead, and it makes it much easier for me to get up out of bed. With little effort, I’ve been able to cut my terrible snooze habit and actually get up at my "ideal” time. Truly nothing better than a day that I actually start before my kids, with some time to myself to do whatever I want, get ready, and have a full cup of coffee before I’m focused on getting them ready and off on whatever they have planned for the day.
Something I’ve noticed a lot as a parent is how much the weather can set the tone for the day. My husband and I were talking about this exact topic recently — the weather, specifically, the better weather that we have been dipping our toes into and have stretched out before us for several months is just so much easier to parent through. We spend more time outside, which we all know is good for everyone. Especially for my kids, and in that time from after work/school but before the bedtime routine starts that can stretch and stretch and stretch, we are all happier when we’re outside! They get their energy out. It feels like our house is bigger! We cook and eat dinner outside and don’t have to clean up the kitchen as meticulously. There is less of a mess in our dining room (which doubles as their playroom) to clean up before bed.
We make a huge effort to get outside in nearly every type of weather because there is a direct line between getting outside and our sanity. I think it’s universally agreed upon by all parents that rainy days are the absolute worst — not just because its kind of no fun to be in the rain, but also because a rainy day to me screams, “Stay in bed and watch movies all day,” and that type of a day is 10000% incompatible with being the parent of a young child. Sadly.
But a sunny day — a sunny day, on the other hand, makes me ready for action. It makes me want to be outside for every moment of the day, only coming inside for bathroom breaks (or not, if you’re my kids and insist on nature pees as a way of life), or to get things from the fridge, or to fill up a water bottle, or for a little break in the middle of the day.
They are the days that leave you exhausted but immensely satisfied in the end. When you want to do nothing but collapse on the couch and reminisce about all the fun things that happened and the funny thing that so and so said. The days I don’t have pictures of because I never even felt the urge to pick up my phone. Basically, the days that remind you how much you have and how grateful you should be for it all. To me, that’s the promise of the sunny morning, and spring and summer and even fall — so many days like this.
A few weeks ago, I solicited feedback on instagram to learn more about the types of clothing/items people are shopping for and want to be able to see in an “edited” format. One of the top requests was easy summer dresses — to wear, on repeat, during the daytime (and maybe into the night). The dress you might wear at the lake or the beach, but not necessarily a cover-up. The dress you pop on to get coffee and breakfast on Saturday morning, but still feel great wearing when you spontaneously decide to go out for dinner. Or the dress that works just as well out to dinner as it does for hanging out at the playground with your kids and having a picnic in the grass.
Every dress (or outfit, because there is one set in this roundup) in here passes the following criteria — not too tight, don’t require any fussy underwear, can easily run around in and won’t blow up and expose your underwear, and long enough to sit down and stand up in.
If you want to go straight to the shopping, you can do that here.
1: Xirena Freya Dress: I usually always go for black, but this summer I am making an effort to branch into more navy. Feels just a little different, and works very well for day to night!
2: The Great Dove Dress: I love that this dress looks so good with a chunky, comfortable birkenstock sandal, but woudl look equally special with a strappy, barely-there sandal!
3: La Ligne Soraya Dress: More navy!
4: LemLem Yani Long Dress: White and blue forever! Would be beautiful for 4th of July!
5: OPT Blue Stripe Dress: This is an extremely wearable style at a great price point!
6: Juliet Dunn Tie Shoulder Dress: Another super wearable style that you can dress up or down. Will work in so many different life stages and all the patterns and colors are beautiful.
7: Lake Brunch Dress: Button up is such a great style for motherhood - you can control how unbuttoned you want it at the neck and the bottom, its nursing friendly, and this silhouette is beautiful.
8: Xirena Caylin Dress: The Xirena gauze fabric is truly incredible. Perfect for when it gets hot! This would look just as great at a Memorial Day party as it would as a coverup at the pool.
9: Doen Gia Dress: Doen dresses are just so beautiful and practical for summertime. Lightweight fabrics, beautiful patterns, flattering cut, the list goes on!
10: Theo Sleeveless Midi Dress: A couple of this smocked bodice, with high empire waist and skinny straps are included in this
11: Galeotta Dress: I am obsessed with this dress. The color, the cut, the pattern. Beautiful!
12: Smocked Cotton Maxi: I think this is a super wearable style — as you can tell because many similar styles are included. I love this print, and it also comes in a couple different options!
13: Smocked Cotton Maxi: Love this color! And the price!
14: Tavi Linen Dress: This reminds me of old-school reformation - one of their first styles. I have a very old dress from Ref that looks like this and I love it - I reach for it constantly, and it’s the kind of dress that works for so many different occasions and events - exactly what we’re looking for here!
15: White Eyelet Dress: This is absolutely gorgeous! Looks almost identical to this one from Jcrew!
16: Faherty Set - Isha Top & Pants: Not a dress, but I love this. You could dress it up with a little heel and some jewelry, and then keep is super casual for a daytime look!
17: Tagliatelle Linen Dress: I have loved this dress for a long time - looks so beautiful, subtly romantic and so feminine.
18: Maxi shirt Dress: This is so beautiful and looks like it would be an absolute dream to wear.
19: Cotton Jersey Maxi: I love that these high neckline styles are so in this summer - it’s modest, but not boring!
20: Frieda Linen Dress: Love the thicker straps and the crossed straps in the back feels really special. This looks super flattering, and has POCKETS.
21: Seersucker One Shoulder Dress: Looks soft and comfy for even the hottest day. And I love the color!
22: Gap Puff Sleeve Midi Dress: La Ligne vibes for a fraction of the price. Wear this all day long and then throw your hair up in a bun, swipe on some red lipstick and throw on some gold hoops and you are ready for a night out.
23: Gap Lace Button Up Midi Dress: Gap introduced this dress last year, and it’s back again this spring. It looks way more expensive than it is and is simple and wearable for so many different occasions. Especially a great choice if you’re more partial to a little sleeve over a sleeveless option.
https://www.net-a-porter.com/en-us/shop/product/ninety-percent/clothing/maxi-dresses/gathered-organic-cotton-jersey-maxi-dress/1647597308980437